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Canada struggles in first day of men’s curling, loses to Switzerland after edging Germany in Sochi

Canada made a stuttering start to the defence of its Olympic curling title Monday, following up a scrappy win over unheralded Germany with a surprise loss to Switzerland on a sobering day for the big gold-medal favourites.

Canada's skip Brad Jacobs delivers a shot as lead Ryan Harnden, left, and second E.J. Harnden sweep during first round curling at the Sochi Winter Olympics Monday, February 10, 2014 in Sochi. (Paul Chiasson / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

By Steve DouglasThe Associated Press

Mon., Feb. 10, 2014

SOCHI, RUSSIA—Canada made a stuttering start to the defence of its Olympic curling title Monday, following up a scrappy win over unheralded Germany with a surprise loss to Switzerland on a sobering day for the big gold-medal favourites.

“It was pretty ugly, to be honest,” said Brad Jacobs, who is skip of the team that is seeking Canada’s third consecutive men’s Olympic gold medal.

By the end of opening day, Sweden was the only rink at 2-0, with wins in tough matches against the Swiss and Britain at the Ice Cube Curling Center at the Sochi Games.

After sweeping through the Canadian Olympic trials unbeaten, Jacobs’ team from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., was widely seen as the overwhelming favourites for the games.

Germany, which only reached the Olympics via the qualification tournament on home ice in December, stole two points in the third end to go ahead 4-2 before Canada rallied to regain the lead. In the ninth end, Germany closed the gap to 9-8.

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Throwing the final rock, Jacobs missed draws in both those ends — big mistakes for a skip who was brilliant for Canada in a breakthrough 2013 and is widely viewed as the top player in curling.

“It’s a different event to any regular event,” said Jacobs, who is competing in his first Olympics and with his cousins E.J. Harnden and Ryan Harnden. “There are nerves out there.”

Germany skip John Jahr — the oldest player in the tournament at age 48 — thought Canada underestimated his team, saying “they don’t know us.”

Jacobs said he found it tough playing through the din of the horn-blowing Russian fans, who created a lively atmosphere despite the arena being only three-quarters full.

The home supporters fell quiet in the second half of their team’s first game, though, as Britain scored four points in the sixth end to go 6-1 ahead before easing to a 7-4 win.

The British team — made up of Scottish players — were watched by Princess Anne, the daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and a past Olympic competitor in equestrian.

Bagpipers led the teams out onto the ice before play, giving the event even more of a Scottish feel.

China defeated Denmark 7-4, while world champion Sweden beat European champion Switzerland 7-5 in the tightest game of the opening session.

Switzerland’s cowbell-clanging fans saw their team lead 3-2 after six ends but Sweden got three points in seventh and held on.

“That was the perfect start for us,” Sweden skip Niklas Edin said. “I think we will be stronger for this going forward.”

There will be four games in the evening session, too, when Norway plays the United States.

Expect soccer socks, flat caps and knee-length pants from the Norwegians, whose funky fashion sense has only intensified since they caused a stir at the Vancouver Olympics with their bold, diamond-printed pants.

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